Thanks for the suggestions - we actually considered a deer fence - one of those chicken wire type fences to run the perimeter - but then realized this would only steer the deer into the neighbors yard - and that didnt make any sense....and wasn't exactly a neighborly thing to do - so we have decided to deal with the deer. They dont create any real issues for us - and we have a friend who uses the deer droppings in her jewelry craft
We do use the deer repellent - it smells AWFUL - but it has saved us a boat load of money on buying new plantings every summer!